Acts 28:28

Be it knowen therfore vnto you, that the saluation of God is sent vnto the Gentiles, and that they wil heare it. Acts 28:28 (KJV)

Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and

that they will hear it. Acts 28:28 (KJV)

Let’s dive into a Bible study on Acts 28:28. First, let’s read the verse in its context. Acts 28:28 in the King James Version states: “Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.” This verse is part of the final section of the book of Acts. To understand its significance, let’s briefly review the context leading up to this verse. The book of Acts, written by Luke, records the early history of the Christian Church and the spread of the Gospel after Jesus’ ascension. In Acts 28, the apostle Paul has been taken as a prisoner to Rome. While there, he gathers the Jewish leaders in Rome to explain why he has been imprisoned. In Acts 28:16-20, Paul explains to the Jewish leaders that he is a Roman citizen and that his imprisonment is not due to any wrongdoing against Jewish customs, but he emphasizes his hope in the Messiah, Jesus Christ. In response to Paul’s message, the Jewish leaders express their disagreement and skepticism. Paul quotes from the prophet Isaiah, saying that the hearts of the Jewish people have become dull and their ears have become hard of hearing, resisting the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. Now let’s focus on the key elements and implications of Acts 28:28:

Salvation for the Gentiles: The verse begins by proclaiming that the salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles. Throughout the book of Acts, we see the gradual expansion of the Gospel message from primarily being preached to the Jewish people to reaching out to the Gentiles (non‑Jews). This transition was a significant development in the early Church, and it is often referred to as the “Gentile mission.”

Rejection by the Jews: The second part of the verse states that the Jewish people have rejected the message of salvation. Paul’s ministry faced considerable opposition from Jewish leaders and some Jewish communities throughout his missionary journeys. This rejection led Paul to shift his focus towards preaching to the Gentiles, as he understood that they were more receptive to the Gospel.

The Willingness of the Gentiles: The verse concludes by stating that the Gentiles will hear the message of salvation, indicating that they will have the opportunity to hear the Gospel. In the following chapters of Acts, we see how the Gentiles embrace the Christian faith, forming new Christian communities outside of the Jewish context.

The significance of Acts 28:28 lies in the realization that the rejection of the Gospel by some Jewish communities opened the door for the Gentiles to receive salvation. This verse highlights the universality of God’s plan of salvation, extending it to people of all nations, ethnicities, and backgrounds.

In summary, Acts 28:28 marks a turning point in the book of Acts, emphasizing the expansion of the Gospel to the Gentiles after the rejection of the message by some Jewish communities. It underscores the inclusiveness of God’s plan of salvation and the willingness of the Gentiles to receive the good news of Jesus Christ.